How did Shakespeare die? What caused his death?

9 Answers

William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616. The cause of his death is unknown. He was 52 years old when he died. He had been retired for several years and was a grandfather. He was buried in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford, at the age of 52, on April 23, 1616. Just four weeks prior to his death, on 25th March 1616, William made his will. Some writers have wondered if this...

William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616. The cause of his death is unknown. He was 52 years old when he died. He had been retired for several years and was a grandfather. He was buried in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford, at the age of 52, on April 23, 1616. Just four weeks prior to his death, on 25th March 1616, William made his will. Some writers have wondered if this was a coincidence or if he knew he was dying.

A contemporary of Shakespeare was said to have reported the following:

"Shakespeare, Drayton, and Ben Jonson had a merry meeting and it seems drank too hard

On Shakespeare's tomb is the message:

“Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare,To dig the dust enclosed here.Blessed be the man that spares these stones,And cursed be he that moves my bones”

Many people still find it a mystery as to how Shakespeare died; however, a vicar of the Holy Trinity Church, John Ward, kept a diary documenting the event that Shakespeare, along with some friends, went out drinking. While drinking, he contracted a fever. Other people also believe that if you take into account the year, it was a time where diseases and bacteria were greatly abundant and easily passed around.

The cause of Shakespeare's death is still a mystery today. Some people believed that he was sick for over a month before he died. Before his death though, Shakespeare did go drinking with his friends which leads to scholars believing that he contracted a fever there. Remember though that during that time diseases were easily passed around.